the bull rider, bull fighter and old man

Friday night we strolled around town offering tricks for a treat. Well, not really. However, we did return home with entirely too much candy.

Dexter joined a small group of friends on the square, doing his own trick or treating this year. I believe he had fun with his peers. He went as the same ole' old man that he had dressed up as last year. Pa wasn't sure this was a good idea; letting Dexter venture around the town with other 12 year olds after dark. I assured Pa plenty of adults would be out and watching. Dexter promised he wouldn't rob a bank.......thank goodness!

Jaxson chose to hit the streets dressed as a PRCA bull fighter. We completely painted his face and it took 4 attempts with makeup remover to eliminate all of the colorful stuff. I'm hoping this squelched any hidden dreams of being a real life bill fighter. I kept asking Jaxson, "How would you like to do this every night?" I'm pretty sure he wouldn't :D

Dawson was decked in Wranglers, chaps, a Wrangler shirt, cowboy hat, cowboy boots, belt with the biggest buckle in the house, leather glove and a bull riding vest. He was a PRCA bull rider with the attitude to match it. We added a little artsy flair with a mustache and foo man choo face hair. I'm really hoping this idea does not live long past Halloween also.

the bull rider, bull fighter and old man

Another Wild & Wacky Day.....

Today, Dawson dressed for school Wild & Wacky. His class was rewarded with a day of choice by their teacher. They could have chosen a pj day, movie celebration, etc...

Wild and Wacky Day received the most votes.

I think this might have something to do with older siblings......

Dawson learned from a professional, Dex, and was totally pumped to play the part. Honestly, he came out of his bedroom dressed this way on Monday and had to dress again.

Today he was ready. Up at 6:30 am, dressed wild and wacky, and feeling that way too. What a goof that boy was this morning.

I'm pretty sure his teacher is going to feel as if she's at the zoo today....24 silly first graders.

His clothes are layered, backwards, too big, and mismatched.

That is Dawson, Wild and Wacky!

weekend

What a wonderful weekend:)

Friday night the Davis Herd allowed the older boys to attend the varsity football game, NO parents! We picked them up during the 4th quarter and all seemed to go well. How independent they're becoming.

Early Saturday morning we pulled out of the driveway in the rodeo rig headed for Widmers Rock N Roll Arena. The boys had loads of fun back in the saddle competing and playing football between events. We're hoping to have as much fun at the next one late November.

Sunday we celebrated 50 sweet years of marriage with Dan's folks. I cherish what they are to this family and thank them for showing us how to do things the right way. So many seem to get lost in this world instead of focus on loving forever.....What an inspiration!

i swore....

• I swore to never be one of those parents whose 12 year old child had a cell phone.
  
• I swore to not have a 3rd line until child NEEDED it!
  
• I swore child didn't NEED a cell phone until activities took him away from ma & pa, routinely.
  
• I swore child would be 16 before really NEEDING a phone.
  
• I swore when he did get a phone, he WOULD NOT have text messaging.
  
  Today, I'm eating my words.......

Good-bye Miss. Kitty

For the past 14 days we've sheltered a kitty in the house. The boys rescued Oatee from a terrible fate. It's 2 siblings were found still in the middle of the dirt road.

Knowing this furry feline could never take up permanent residence in this house,

• because middle child is extremely allergic to cats,
• because master Herdsman would come uncorked,
• because Dewey, our wire hair fox terrier, is a cats worst nightmare,

I began a frantic search for an open door and loving arms. I was thrilled to end my search when my cousin agreed, with excitement, to be it's human mama.

Because I want to keep family relationships good, I offered to have kitty checked out at the vet.

There, I found out Miss. Kitty, is approx. 8 weeks old, and MISTER KITTY!

Life with Mr. Kitty has been interesting.

Mr. Kitty likes to wrap around your feet and bite at your toes like some type of killer cat!

Mr. Kitty ran across the couch this morning, onto an end table, hit the decorative doily and pulled EVERYTHING to the carpet, including the bowl of potpourri.

Tomorrow we will tell Mr. Kitty good-bye and he will thank us for saving his life.

Okay, he probably won't.

i think she died....

Dawson's wearing a festive jack-o-lantern smile these days. He's been losing a tooth a week since school started. Okay, not really! He has lost 3 teeth since the first day of school,which was back in August. If you were counting, that would be 3 teeth in 5 weeks. Nearly, a tooth a week.

This pattern of events has created a reputation for Dawson within the walls of DC Elementary.

At school, when one loses a tooth, they briefly get a moment of fame...

all of your peers "want to see", you then begin your walk to the school nurse, passing the offices ladies, to pickup the prized treasure chest to hold your lost tooth. Mrs. Graves, Dawson's 1st grade teacher, also places the child's name on the tooth chart in the classroom.

This experience is similar to having your own star on Hollywood Blvd.,

and taking that long walk of fame, 3 times!

Unfortunately, since Dawson arrived home last Wednesday with another treasure chest, the tooth fairy has failed to visit. This morning as Dawson awoke, he walked his little fingers under his pillow in search of his $$ from the tooth fairy. When his fingers wrapped up that treasure chest, again, he threw up his pillow and hollered to anyone who may be listening...
"I think the tooth fairy died!"

Hopefully she'll come tonight?

homecoming

For as long as I can remember homecoming week in small town Iowa has meant TPing trees. The Davis Herd boys have had many questions about the toilet paper dangling from trees and blowing in the fall breeze. The site has brought back many memories,

caused me to smile and giggle, and feel sad for the real trouble the kids can now

find themselves in if they are caught partaking of the homecomingweek ritual. Unfortunately, a few years ago some bad apples spoiled the harmless prank for the whole bunch when they

took the TPing festivities to a level of vandalism.

Today I spoke with one Dad who, with his kids, TP his own house.

His comment was, "IT'S HOMECOMING!"

Partners in crime: Dexter and Dawson

When we arrived home from the homecoming parade the boys were full of Mustang spirit and begged for a roll of toilet paper. Not willing to part with too many rolls of the cushioning stuff I gave them one roll and told them to get after it.After all, homecoming in small town Iowa IS trees decorated with the white stuff.

Along with:

* a parade full of floats & kids

*an entire community lining the streets

*maroon and gold MUSTANG PRIDE

*decorated business windows

*a football game with a packed house

GO MUSTANGS!!